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AREA GUIDES DENVER MEETING IN THE MILE HIGH CITY BY VICTORIA HEAD Metro Denver offers all of the excitement of a major American city, from professional football, hockey and baseball to incredible museums, the- atres and other attractions. Denver is a cosmopolitan city richly flavored by its old west, mining and agricultural her- itage. It’s often referred to as the Mile High City as it rests one mile above sea level. Denverites are said to be among the most physically fit in the nation; this must have something to do with the incredible recreational opportunities at their disposal. Within the city there are over 200 miles of running and bicycle paths, free tennis courts and plenty of public golf courses. In the nearby foothills and mountains, each season has its own recreational activities – ski- ing, boarding, hiking, river rafting, hang gliding and rock climbing. Visitors unable to bring along all the necessary sports equipment can rent just about anything from one of the many sports equipment rental shops in Denver. Despite being one of the country’s youngest major cosmopolitan centers, Denver Colorado has proved itself to be a highly interesting place that merges urban and rural living seamless- ly. The city is known as the cultural cen- ter in the western mountain area, with the Denver Arts being the largest per- forming arts center in the world and the Red Rocks amphitheater, which hosts some of the most popular bands in the country. There’s also the Black American West Museum where legal documents, photos, letters, newspapers, stories, and other memorabilia pieces together the rich history and the valu- able contribution African Americans made in settling the west. For travelers considering Denver as a meeting destination, there are many pop- Downtown Denver ular event facilities in and around the city. Most feature the option of onsite guest lodging, however, there are numerous world-class hotels or resorts available as well. The beautiful Colorado Convention Center, designed to be a simple, sensible, state-of-the-art facility is located in the heart of exciting downtown Denver. The exhibit level offers 584,000 sq. ft. of con- tiguous space, as well as outdoor terraces accenting extraordinary views of the Rocky Mountains and Denver skyline. There are 63 meeting rooms, totalling 100,000 sq. ft., all on one level. A total of 85,000 sq. ft. of hotel quality ballroom space is also available. A 35,000-sq. ft. ballroom that is divisible in half or thirds, and a 50,000-sq. ft. ballroom that is divis- ible into 18 individual meeting rooms or literally hundreds of possible configura- tions. The Colorado Convention Center is located within easy walking distance of over 7,000 hotel rooms, 300 restaurants, nine theatres of the Denver Performing Arts Complex and a wide variety of shopping opportunities. Denver International Airport is 23 miles northeast of Downtown. Traveling from the airport to the city can be accomplished via taxi, limo, shut- tle bus or the city bus. Amtrak and Greyhound operate in the Denver area. There is a public transportation system Photo Credit: Denver CVB in Denver that serves the city and its suburbs; this effective bus and light rail system is referred to as, The Ride. The Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce has programs, events and opportunities that connect big business- es to small businesses; honor leadership; provide social networking and offer information; when planning your meet- ing in the Denver area the CBCC would be happy to assist. STATS HOTEL The Westin Hotel Tabor Center Courtyard By Marriott Denver S.W. Lakewood Sheraton Denver Hotel ROOMS 420 90 1,225 Hilton Garden Inn Denver Downtown 221 Radisson Denver Stapleton Plaza 300 EXHIBITION FACILITIES COLORADO CONVENTION CENTER total exhibit space largest hall meeting rooms 584,000 sq. ft. 50,000 sq. ft. 63 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Denver Metro CVB – 800-233-6837 www.denver.org CBCC – (303) 831-0720 www.coloradoblackchamber.org Black Meetings & Tourism May/June 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 81